Discussion
Just thought I'd let you see what I've been up to over the past few weeks. All the models are 1/72
The Messerschmitt Bf110G depicts a captured aircraft that was put on display at Farnborough in 1945. The model will be on permanent display at the FAST Museum Farnborough from June - along with about 40 others made the members of Farnborough IPMS showing a selection of the captured aircraft put on show at the German Aircraft Exhibition in 1945.
The Messerschmitt Bf110G depicts a captured aircraft that was put on display at Farnborough in 1945. The model will be on permanent display at the FAST Museum Farnborough from June - along with about 40 others made the members of Farnborough IPMS showing a selection of the captured aircraft put on show at the German Aircraft Exhibition in 1945.
Eric Mc said:
Just thought I'd let you see what I've been up to over the past few weeks. All the models are 1/72
They look great - I like the 110 best - you've done a good job of the mottling. IMHO What would finish it off would be some sprue aerial wires. Presumably you wont ever have to dust it?Is the Natter a Heller or Humbrol kit? I seem to remember seeing it in the LMS about 20 years ago, but never getting one - I got the Me163 with trailer which I think was from the same series.
Thanks for the kind words.
I hardly ever put on the aerial wires on my models as they never survive handling. This 110 is going to the FAST museum at Farnborough so I won't be seeing it again unless I pay the muserm a visit
The 110 kit is Italeri.
The Natter is indeed a Heller model. It comes as a dual kit with the Fi103 Reichenberg which I built a few months ago for the same Farnborough museum display.
There was no Natter on public display at the Farnborough German Aircraft Exhibition in 1945 so that is why the model was finished in German marrkings.
The Aero Delfin is the rather ancient KP kit. The photo is poor as it is slightly out of focus so I will try and replace it with a sharper one later. I was dashing out to the monthly model meeting last night and I didn't have time to sort out the Delfin photo.
I am very pleased with the way the mottle effect turned out on the 110. I am gradually getting the hang of close up, small area mottling. I'm still using my cheap Chinese airbrush and continue to be impressed with its capability.
The next aircraft model on the bench is a Heller Arado Ar96 trainer - which will feature a scheme similar to the 110 - so I'll get another chance to see if I can achieve the same mottle effect.
I hardly ever put on the aerial wires on my models as they never survive handling. This 110 is going to the FAST museum at Farnborough so I won't be seeing it again unless I pay the muserm a visit
The 110 kit is Italeri.
The Natter is indeed a Heller model. It comes as a dual kit with the Fi103 Reichenberg which I built a few months ago for the same Farnborough museum display.
There was no Natter on public display at the Farnborough German Aircraft Exhibition in 1945 so that is why the model was finished in German marrkings.
The Aero Delfin is the rather ancient KP kit. The photo is poor as it is slightly out of focus so I will try and replace it with a sharper one later. I was dashing out to the monthly model meeting last night and I didn't have time to sort out the Delfin photo.
I am very pleased with the way the mottle effect turned out on the 110. I am gradually getting the hang of close up, small area mottling. I'm still using my cheap Chinese airbrush and continue to be impressed with its capability.
The next aircraft model on the bench is a Heller Arado Ar96 trainer - which will feature a scheme similar to the 110 - so I'll get another chance to see if I can achieve the same mottle effect.
Edited by Eric Mc on Tuesday 11th May 08:34
Red Firecracker said:
The 110 is stunning, Eric.
I have to say I am very pleased with it. I feel like I have finally cracked a number of "dark areas" that always filled me with trepidation - namely masking and painting multi-paned canopies and, as mentioned earlier, German mottle camouflage.I used the correct Eduard Mask Set for the Italeri 110 (first time using these) and I have to say they really do work well.
As a complete change of scene, I am bashing together a couple of 1/700 nuclear subs so they should be next up for display. I'll probably finish them in a few week's time as I am off on a bit of break at the end of this week.
Eric Mc said:
Red Firecracker said:
The 110 is stunning, Eric.
I have to say I am very pleased with it. I feel like I have finally cracked a number of "dark areas" that always filled me with trepidation - namely masking and painting multi-paned canopies and, as mentioned earlier, German mottle camouflage.I used the correct Eduard Mask Set for the Italeri 110 (first time using these) and I have to say they really do work well.
As a complete change of scene, I am bashing together a couple of 1/700 nuclear subs so they should be next up for display. I'll probably finish them in a few week's time as I am off on a bit of break at the end of this week.
OK, if they were available for my '109, I would use all the above because they are better than I could do, but...isn't it de-skilling the process somewhat? I even noticed in one of the mags this month an advert which said something along the lines of "pre-painted and pre-assembled kits". Maybe an error there somewhere, but if it's right, the ultimate irony...
It's up to each modeller to decide how far down the line they want to go with all these helpful accessories. On the whole, I am happy to continue masking using sliced up Tamiya tape. However, German "multi-pane" canopies are extremely tricky - especially in 1/72 scale so I don't feel guilty about using them in this case.
I've got a small stash of Eduard masks ready for a few kits, such as the Italeri Ju52.
I haven't tried any of the Eduard cockpit interiors yet but I'm sure I'll give them a go at some point.
I've got a small stash of Eduard masks ready for a few kits, such as the Italeri Ju52.
I haven't tried any of the Eduard cockpit interiors yet but I'm sure I'll give them a go at some point.
Edited by Eric Mc on Tuesday 11th May 10:22
I used pastel chalks for the exhausts. I toyed with the idea of airbrushing them but I didn't feel confident enough.
The pictures I had of then actual machine didn't give a clear indication of the extent of the staining on the top of the wing so I decided not to go too overboard.
An interesting feature of the 110G was the fact that three of the exhaust stacks were routed over the top of the wing but the starboard inner stack was routed below the wing. I presume that was a ploy to reduce the effect of exhaust flames on pilot vision or maybe allow the plane to sneak up on aircraft undetected. I'm not altogether sure.
The pictures I had of then actual machine didn't give a clear indication of the extent of the staining on the top of the wing so I decided not to go too overboard.
An interesting feature of the 110G was the fact that three of the exhaust stacks were routed over the top of the wing but the starboard inner stack was routed below the wing. I presume that was a ploy to reduce the effect of exhaust flames on pilot vision or maybe allow the plane to sneak up on aircraft undetected. I'm not altogether sure.
Another one finished - at long last.
This is the rather ancient Heller model (1/72 scale)of an Arado 96 training aircraft used by the Luftwaffe in WW2. It was their equivalent of the Harvard I suppose.
I've tried to liven up the model by adding a bit of human interest to the scene. It depicts a scene at a Luftwaffe fliegerschule sometime around 1941.
This is the rather ancient Heller model (1/72 scale)of an Arado 96 training aircraft used by the Luftwaffe in WW2. It was their equivalent of the Harvard I suppose.
I've tried to liven up the model by adding a bit of human interest to the scene. It depicts a scene at a Luftwaffe fliegerschule sometime around 1941.
Eric Mc said:
Another one finished - at long last.
This is the rather ancient Heller model (1/72 scale)of an Arado 96 training aircraft used by the Luftwaffe in WW2. It was their equivalent of the Harvard I suppose.
I've tried to liven up the model by adding a bit of human interest to the scene. It depicts a scene at a Luftwaffe fliegerschule sometime around 1941.
Excellent work Eric: the airbrushed mottling is very good (subtle) - it's very tricky to get that consistently over a model. The only other comment I'd make is that maybe matt varnish rather than satin? Having said that, I tried some Vallejo matt the other day, and it came out...satin. The Revell Aqua colour matt I tried came out perfectly matt the first time I used it, but all subsequent occasions it has left a white 'dust' over the surface which makes it look like the model is covered in frost.This is the rather ancient Heller model (1/72 scale)of an Arado 96 training aircraft used by the Luftwaffe in WW2. It was their equivalent of the Harvard I suppose.
I've tried to liven up the model by adding a bit of human interest to the scene. It depicts a scene at a Luftwaffe fliegerschule sometime around 1941.
Believe it or not, that is Matt Varnish. It's Xtracrylix Matt Varnish - which sometimes comes out slightly satiny. Real matt aeroplanes sometimes acquire a slight sheen so I'm not to fussed about trying to matt it down any further - not ever having seen a real life Ar96 I can't really tell what they actually looked like in period.
The mottle was done with my cheapo airbrush - although it did play up a bit and it took me ages to get it to produce the effect I wanted. Maybe it is time to fork out for a "proper" airbrush after all.
Having done two Luftwaffe mottle schemes in succession, my next model will have a more straightforward scheme.
The mottle was done with my cheapo airbrush - although it did play up a bit and it took me ages to get it to produce the effect I wanted. Maybe it is time to fork out for a "proper" airbrush after all.
Having done two Luftwaffe mottle schemes in succession, my next model will have a more straightforward scheme.
Edited by Eric Mc on Saturday 17th July 19:07
Eric Mc said:
Believe it or not, that is Matt Varnish. It's Xtracrylix Matt Varnish - which sometimes scomes out slightly satiny. Real matt aeroplanes sometimes acquire a slight sheen so I'm not to fussed about trying to matt it down any further - not ever having seen a real life Ar96 I can't really tell what they actually looked like in period.
The mottle was done with my cheapo airbrush - although it did play up a bit and it took me ages to get it to produce the effect I wanted. Maybe it is time to fork out for a "proper" airbrush after all.
Having done two Luftwaffe mottle schemes in succession, my next model will have a more straightforward scheme.
A pal of mine wanted an airbrush kit, so I told him to go to 'Little-Cars' and get the Harder & Steenbeck kit (which he did). The owner (Paul) is extremely knowledgable and helpful, and no, I don't get commission!The mottle was done with my cheapo airbrush - although it did play up a bit and it took me ages to get it to produce the effect I wanted. Maybe it is time to fork out for a "proper" airbrush after all.
Having done two Luftwaffe mottle schemes in succession, my next model will have a more straightforward scheme.
Edited by Eric Mc on Saturday 17th July 19:06
http://www.little-cars.co.uk/airbrushes_v5.2.doc
I think it was the Evolution Solo, with compressor, cleaner, mask etc etc.
Hasn't used it yet but it looks very, very good quality, and the trigger action is way better than my Super'63, even with its upgraded air valve. Ah well, that's progress.
Edited to add, re. the finish: Apparently Luftwaffe aircraft were washed down with paraffin on a regular basis - at least the engine/exhaust stain areas, and even machine polished to get more performance. also they had constant paint repairs in the field. I think there's a Britmodeller thread somewhere on it.
Edited by dr_gn on Saturday 17th July 19:16
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